Heat-dissipating device

ABSTRACT

A heat-dissipating device comprises a heat-dissipating member, at least one heat-dissipating fan, and a rotation control unit. The heat-dissipating member has an airflow chamber inside and includes a plurality of air-guiding holes in communication with the airflow chamber. Each of the at least one heat-dissipating fan has two air-guiding portions, wherein one of the air-guiding portions is aligned with one of the air-guiding holes of the heat-dissipating member. The rotation control unit communicates with and controls the at least one heat-dissipating fan. Accordingly, the heat-dissipating device with a dust auto-removing function can provide a balanced heat-dissipating effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a heat-dissipating device and, more particularly, to a heat-dissipating device capable of integrating with a plurality of heat sources in various electronic products to provide heat-dissipating function.

2. Description of the Related Art

During the operation of electronic products such as lamps, backlighted modules, liquid crystal display (LCD), and computers etc., heat is generated easily. Therefore, heat-dissipating devices are widely utilized to maintain normal operation and lifetime of electronic products.

Furthermore, plural electronic elements of electronic products such as motherboards, microprocessors or chips of computers must be put together in a heat-dissipating member of heat-dissipating devices with plural heat-dissipating fans for heat-dissipating purpose.

FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a conventional heat-dissipating device including a heat-dissipating member 91 and a plurality of heat-dissipating fans. The plurality of heat-dissipating fans includes a first heat-dissipating fan 92 and a second heat-dissipating fan 93. Specifically, the heat-dissipating member 91 includes a compartment 911 receiving a plurality of electronic elements 94. The heat-dissipating member 91 further includes two openings 912 in communication with the compartment 911. The first heat-dissipating fan 92 and the second heat-dissipating fan 93 are mounted in the two openings 912 respectively.

The electronic elements 94 generate heat during operation. The first heat-dissipating fan 92 draws ambient air at room temperature into the compartment 911 for heat exchange with the electronic elements 94. The second heat-dissipating fan 93 expels the hot air out of the compartment 911 after heat exchange to dissipate heat. However, the heat-dissipating effect for the electronic elements 94 is good in the area close to the first heat-dissipating fan 92 but poor in the area distant to the first heat-dissipating fan 92. Furthermore, dust is liable to accumulate at specific area such as the compartment 911, the first heat-dissipating fan 92 and the second heat-dissipating fan 93, and thus adversely affects the heat-dissipating effect. Further, the heat-dissipating device 9 could not effectively lower the temperature of the electronic elements close to the second heat-dissipating fan 93. Overall, the heat-dissipating effect of the heat-dissipating device 9 is unsatisfactory and is not uniform.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a heat-dissipating device having a balanced heat-dissipating effect.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a heat-dissipating device with a dust auto-removing function.

The present invention fulfills the above objectives by providing, in a preferred form, a heat-dissipating device comprising a heat-dissipating member, at least one heat-dissipating fan, and a rotation control unit. The heat-dissipating member has an airflow chamber inside and includes a plurality of air-guiding holes in communication with the airflow chamber. Each of the at least one heat-dissipating fan has two air-guiding portions, wherein one of the air-guiding portions is aligned with one of the air-guiding holes of the heat-dissipating member. The rotation control unit communicates with and controls the at least one heat-dissipating fan. Accordingly, the heat-dissipating device with a dust auto-removing function can provide a balanced heat-dissipating effect.

The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded, perspective view of a conventional heat-dissipating device.

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the heat-dissipating device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded, perspective view of a heat-dissipating device of a first embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the heat-dissipating device of FIG. 3 with a heat-dissipating fan rotating in a first direction.

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the heat-dissipating device of FIG. 3 with a heat-dissipating fan rotating in a second direction.

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of the heat-dissipating device of a second embodiment with a heat-dissipating fan rotating in the first direction according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of the heat-dissipating device of a second embodiment with a heat-dissipating fan rotating in the second direction according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional view of the heat-dissipating device of a third embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a cross sectional view of the heat-dissipating device with a temperature sensor according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “clockwise”, “counterclockwise”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A heat-dissipating device according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. The heat-dissipating device includes a heat-dissipating member 1, at least one heat-dissipating fan 2, and a rotation control unit 3 adopted for control over rotating direction of the said at least one heat-dissipating fan 2.

The heat-dissipating member 1 can be integrated with an electronic product having at least one electronic element. The heat-dissipating member 1 is a hollow casting and preferably made of heat-conducting material, especially of material with high thermal conductivity. The heat-dissipating member 1 has an airflow chamber 11 inside and includes a plurality of air-guiding holes 12 in communication with the airflow chamber 11.

The at least one heat-dissipating fan 2 can be of blower type or axial flow type. In the preferred form shown in FIG. 3, the heat-dissipating device includes one heat-dissipating fan 2 of axial type. Furthermore, the heat-dissipating fan 2 includes two air-guiding portions 21 respectively serving as an air inlet and an air outlet and an impeller 22 guiding airflow to pass through the heat-dissipating fan 2 from the air inlet to the air outlet. The heat-dissipating fan 2 is mounted to one of the air-guiding holes 12 with the air-guiding portion 21 serving as the air inlet in communication with the airflow chamber 11 through the air-guiding hole 12 and with the air-guiding portion 21 serving as the air outlet facing the environment. In accordance with the need, the number of the heat-dissipating fans 2 can be selected as more than one. Each heat-dissipating fan 2 can be mounted on one of the plural air-guiding holes 12 of the heat-dissipating member 1 directly. Furthermore, the heat-dissipating fan 2 can be mounted inside the airflow chamber 11 on condition that air-guiding efficiency of the airflow chamber 11 is assured. Alternatively, the heat-dissipating fan 2 can be mounted outside the heat-dissipating member 1 and connects with the air-guiding holes 12 by air-guiding pipes.

The rotation control unit 3 can communicate with and control the at least one heat-dissipating fan 2 in a wireless way such as sending wireless signal or in a wired way such as linking through transmission line. Further, the rotation control unit 3 can be integrated inside the heat-dissipating fan 2. The rotation control unit 3 can send a rotating direction control signal to actuate the heat-dissipating fan 2 for driving the impeller 22 to rotate in a first direction (such as the counterclockwise direction) or in a second direction (such as the clockwise direction). Furthermore, the rotation control unit 3 can send the control signal to control operation timing and operation modes of heat-dissipating fan 2 according to various conditions, providing various heat-dissipating modes.

Please refer to FIGS. 3-5. The heat-dissipating device of the first embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the heat-dissipating device is engaged with electronic products having a first air-guiding hole 12 a and a second air-guiding hole 12 b. In the preferred form shown in FIG. 3, the first and second air-guiding holes 12 a, 12 b are formed in opposite ends of the top plate of the heat-dissipating member 1 to provide a large airflow chamber 11 for receiving a plurality of electronic elements 4 of the electronic products. In the preferred form of the first embodiment, the number of the at least one heat-dissipating fan 2 is one. Furthermore, one of the air-guiding portions 21 is aligned with the first air-guiding hole 12 a.

In use, the rotation control unit 3 drives the impeller 22 to rotate in the first direction such as the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 4 by sending the rotating direction control signal. Specifically, the heat-dissipating fan 2 is activated to draw the ambient air currents into the airflow chamber 11 via the first air-guiding hole 12 a. The air currents pass through the electronic elements 4 close to the first air-guiding hole 12 a first and then pass the electronic elements 4 close to the second air-guiding hole 12 b for heat exchange. After heat exchange, the air currents are driven out of the airflow chamber 11 into the environment via the second air-guiding hole 12 b to achieve a heat-dissipating effect. However, owing to positions of the electronic elements 4 and the flowing routes of the air currents, the heat-dissipating efficiency of the electronic elements 4 close to the second air-guiding hole 12 b is worse than that of those close to the first air-guiding hole 12 a. Therefore, after a period of time which can be determined according to needs, the rotation control unit 3 can further drive the impeller 22 to rotate in the second direction such as the clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 5. Thereby, the heat-dissipating fan 2 is activated to draw the ambient air currents into the airflow chamber 11 via the second air-guiding hole 12 b. Alternatively, the air currents pass through the electronic elements 4 close to the second air-guiding hole 12 b first and then pass the electronic elements 4 close to the first air-guiding hole 12 a for heat exchange. And, after heat exchange, the air currents are driven out of the airflow chamber 11 into the environment via the first air-guiding hole 12 a to achieve a heat-dissipating effect. Accordingly, the heat-dissipating efficiency for the electronic elements 4 close to the second air-guiding hole 12 b is better than that of those close to the first air-guiding hole 12 a while the impeller 22 rotates in the second direction.

Due to the above-mentioned structures and features, the flowing direction of the air currents in the airflow chamber 11 driven by the impeller 22 rotating in the first direction is opposite to that of the air currents driven by the impeller 22 rotating in the second direction. By the rotation control unit 3 to control the rotation of the impeller 22, air current can alternatively flow in two directions inside the airflow chamber 11 to achieve balanced heat-dissipating effect. Besides, with the rotation control unit 3 controlling the impeller 22 to rotate in the second direction different from the first direction, the heat-dissipating fan of the first embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention can automatically remove dust without affection in heat dissipating. Thus, with the present invention, a way to solve accumulation of dust inside the first air-guiding hole 12 a without affection in heat dissipating is provided. Accordingly, by removing the dust and balancing the heat dissipating, the heat dissipating effect is, thus, maintained without decay, and the lifetime of the electronic product is prolonged.

Please refer to FIGS. 6-7, which show the heat-dissipating device of the second embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except for a difference that the number of the at least one heat-dissipating fan 2 of the second embodiment is two. And the two heat-dissipating fans 2 can be defined as a first and a second heat-dissipating fans 2, while the rotation control unit 3 respectively communicates with the first and second heat-dissipating fans 2 in the wireless way or wired way. Furthermore, one of the air-guiding portions 21 of the first heat-dissipating fan 2 is aligned with the first air-guiding hole 12 a while one of the air-guiding portions 21 of the second heat-dissipating fan 2 is aligned with the second air-guiding hole 12 b. Please refer to FIG. 6, the electronic products such as a plurality of lighting elements 5 are mounted on the heat-dissipating member 1.

Referring to FIG. 6, in use of the heat-dissipating device of the second embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the rotation control unit 3 drives the impeller 22 of the first heat-dissipating fan 2 to rotate in the first direction such as the counterclockwise direction while driving the impeller 22 of the second heat-dissipating fan 2 to rotate in the second direction such as the clockwise direction or to be inoperative. The heat-dissipating efficiency of lighting elements 5 close to the second air-guiding hole 12 b is worse than that of those close to the first air-guiding hole 12 a. Besides, the rotation control unit 3 can oppositely drive the impeller 22 of the first heat-dissipating fan 2 to rotate in the second direction such as the clockwise direction while the second heat-dissipating fan 2 is driven to rotate in the first direction such as the counterclockwise direction or to be inoperative. In this condition, the heat-dissipating efficiency of lighting elements 5 close to the first air-guiding hole 12 a is worse than that of those close to the second air-guiding hole 12 b. The additional features of the first embodiment can be utilized in the second embodiment according to the teachings of the present invention, details of which are not described to avoid redundancy.

In a case that dust accumulates in the second air-guiding hole 12 b, the second heat-dissipating fans 2 can rotate in the second direction under control of the rotation control unit 3 so that the air in the airflow chamber 11 can be driven out of the second air-guiding hole 12 b. Dust accumulated in the second air-guiding hole 12 b is, thus, removed. Similarly, the first heat-dissipating fans 2 can rotate in the first direction under control of the rotation control unit 3 so that the air in the airflow chamber 11 can be driven out of the first air-guiding hole 12 a to remove the dust accumulated in the first air-guiding hole 12 a. Therefore, reduction in the amount of wind resulted from blockage of the air-guiding holes 12 a and 12 b is, thus, avoided. Moreover, the rotation control unit 3 can respectively control the heat-dissipating fans 2 to operate alternatively, so that one of the heat-dissipating fans 2 can be relieved while the other is working to achieve the heat-dissipating effect. Since long-term operation of every heat-dissipating fan 2 is not required, the overall service life of the heat-dissipating device according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is prolonged.

Please refer to FIG. 8, which shows the heat-dissipating device of the third embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. Regarding this embodiment, what is different from the second embodiment of the present invention is that the number of the air-guiding holes 12 of the heat-dissipating member 1 is three. In detail, the air-guiding holes 12 have the first air-guiding hole 12 a and the second air-guiding hole 12 b as described above and further include a third air-guiding hole 12 c defined between the first air-guiding hole 12 a and the second air-guiding hole 12 b. Similarly, in the preferred form of the third embodiment, the number of the at least one heat-dissipating fan 2 is two respectively identified as the first and second heat-dissipating fans 2. Specifically, one of the air-guiding portions 21 of the first heat-dissipating fan 2 is aligned with the first air-guiding hole 12 a while one of the air-guiding portions 21 of the second heat-dissipating fan 2 is aligned with the second air-guiding hole 12 b. Heat sources of the electronic products can be connected with the heat-dissipating member 1 by a plurality of heat-conducting pipes 6 directly to enhance convenience in assembling. The additional features of the first and second embodiment can be utilized in the third embodiment according to the teachings of the present invention, details of which are not described to avoid redundancy. In the preferred form of the third embodiment, a balanced heat-dissipating effect and automatic dust removal can also be achieved. Moreover, smooth guiding for the airflow is allowed by the third air-guiding hole 12 c.

Furthermore, the heat-dissipating member 1 further includes at least one temperature sensor 7 mounted to the airflow chamber 11 and electrically connected with the rotation control unit 3 as shown in FIG. 9. The at least one temperature sensor 7 can sense temperature in each part of the airflow chamber 11 rapidly so that the rotation control unit 3 can control operation timing of the heat-dissipating fans 2 according to needs. Therefore, the heat-dissipating device can provide the suitable heat-dissipating modes.

According to the above, the heat-dissipating device according to the preferred teachings of the present invention provides a plurality of different heat-dissipating modes by utilizing the rotation control unit 3 and by structure of the heat-dissipating member 1. Accordingly, by removing the dust and balancing the heat dissipating, the heat dissipating effect is, thus, maintained without decay, and the lifetime of the electronic product is prolonged.

Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A heat-dissipating device comprising: a heat-dissipating member having an airflow chamber inside and including a plurality of air-guiding holes in communication with the airflow chamber; at least one heat-dissipating fan with each heat-dissipating fan having two air-guiding portions, wherein one of air-guiding portions is aligned with one of the air-guiding holes of the heat-dissipating member; and a rotation control unit communicating with and controlling the at least one heat-dissipating fan, wherein the rotation control unit sends a rotating direction control signal to actuate the at least one heat-dissipating fan for driving the impeller to rotate in a first direction or in a second direction.
 2. The heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of the air-guiding holes of the heat-dissipating member is two being defined as a first and a second air-guiding holes, with the number of the at least one heat-dissipating fan being one and one of the air-guiding portions being aligned with the first air-guiding hole.
 3. The heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of the air-guiding holes of the heat-dissipating member is two being defined as a first air-guiding hole and a second air-guiding hole, with the number of the at least one heat-dissipating fan being two being defined as a first heat-dissipating fan and a second heat-dissipating fan, with one of the air-guiding portions of the first heat-dissipating fan being aligned with the first air-guiding hole while one of the air-guiding portions of the second heat-dissipating fan is aligned with the second air-guiding hole.
 4. The heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of the air-guiding holes of the heat-dissipating member is three being defined as a first air-guiding hole, a second air-guiding hole and a third air-guiding hole, with the number of the at least one heat-dissipating fan being two being defined as a first heat-dissipating fan and a second heat-dissipating fan, with one of the air-guiding portions of the first heat-dissipating fan being aligned with the first air-guiding hole while one of the air-guiding portions of the second heat-dissipating fan is aligned with the second air-guiding hole.
 5. The heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the third air-guiding hole is defined between the first air-guiding hole and the second air-guiding hole.
 6. The heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one temperature sensor is mounted to the airflow chamber and electrically connected with the rotation control unit.
 7. The heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 1, with the heat-dissipating member being a hollow casting made of heat-conducting material.
 8. The heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one heat-dissipating fan is axial type. 